Pressure-controlled operating apparatus



1942- A. J. FAUSEK ETAL 2,302,014

IRESSURE- CONTROLLED OPERATING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 3, 1942 2Sheets-Sheet l Z 27 A 64 Z i 1 e0 63 6/ b w 66 55 5 Z5 1942- A. J.FAUSEK ETAL 2,302,014

PRESSURE-CONTROLLED OPERATING APPARATUS Filed Aug 3, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Patented Nov. 17, 1942 PRESSURE-CONTROLLED OPERATING APPARATUS ArthurJ. Fausek and Irwin; F. Fausek, Clayton, Mo.

' Application August 3, 1942, Serial No. 453,356

10 Claims. (Cl. 137-153) This invention relates generally topressurecontrolled operating mechanisms and more specifically to animproved apparatus which is operable in response to action of pressureexisting within parts of the apparatus to regulate flow of fluid whichserves to actuate a device whose operation is controlled by the improvedoperating apparatus, the predominant object of the invention being toprovide an improved apparatus of the type referred to which is of simpleconstruction and is capable of performing its intended function in ahighly eflicient manner.

The improved apparatus of the present invention is adapted for varioususes, and in order that its operation may be understood we choose todescribe herein, in brief form, a use of the improved apparatus where itis employed with a submarine boat for the purpose of automaticallyactuating valves, or other operable parts of the boat structure, inresponse to differences in pressure of atmosphere within the interior ofthe boat and water exterior of the boat, the particular functionperformed by the improved apparatus in the use thereof which isdescribed herein being to control actuation of valves which regulatepassage of water into and out of the ballast tanks of the submarineboat.

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the improved apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical view showing one use of the improvedapparatus where it is employed in association with a submarine boat.

In the drawings, wherein is shown for the purpose of illustration,merely, one emobdiment of the invention, A designates the improvedapparatus gradually. The apparatus A includes a pressure regulator Iwhich is produced by a lower body portion 2 and an upper body portion 3.The lower body portion 2 is of hollow formation, providing a chamber 3'therein, and extended transversely of said chamber is a bridge portion 4which extends from one to an opposite side wall portion of the lowerbody portion 2. The bridge portion 4 is substantially smaller incross-section than the diameter of the chamber 3' so that portions ofthe chamber which are disposed at opposite sides of the bridge portionserve to connect the portions of the chamber that are located below andabove the bridge portion. The chamber 3' is closed at the bottom of thelower body portion 2 by a cap 5 which is disposed in screwthreadedengagement with the lower portion of said lower body portion.

The upper body portion 3 of the regulator l is in the form of a ringwhich is provided with outwardly projected ears 6 that are located atopposite sides of said upper body portion 3, said upper body portionbeing supported by an annular seat I which is formed at the upperportion of the lower body portion 2, and an annular, upstanding,marginal flange 8 being formed on said lower body portion at the topthereof which embraces the lower part of the upper body portion andcenters said upper body portion'with respect to the upper part of thelower body portion. The pressure regulator l includes a diaphragm 9which is provided with a lower, outwardly projected, annular extensionIII that is clamped between the lower and upper body portions 2 and 3 ofsaid pressure regulator l, a plurality of fastening devices ll beingemployed to secure the lower and upper body portions together and toclampingly engage the annular extension I of the diaphragm therebetween.The diaphragm 9 is produced by an assembly of diaphragm sectionssuitably secured together, said diaphragm including an upper wall, anannular side wall of corrugated formation, and the outwardly projectedextension I0 previously mentioned, and the interior of said diaphragm isin communication with the chamber 3 of the body portion of the pressureregulator I.

, Formed longitudinally through the bridge portion 4 is an inletpassageway l2 which at its outer end is in the form of an enlargedportion ll provided with a screwthreaded wall. The inlet passageway I2terminates at its inner end in a cavity 13 provided with a screwthreadedwall and threaded into the open lower portion of said cavity 13 is anozzle I4 provided with an opening formed therethrough which terminatesin a discharge orifice IS. The pressure regulator 1 includes, also, adischarge passageway l6 which opens into the chamber 3 at its inner endand terminates at its outer end in an enlarged portion l5 provided witha screwthreaded wall.

Arranged in embracing relation with respect to the bridge portion 4 ofthe pressure regulator I is a yoke II, the portion of said yoke which,overlies said bridge portion 4 having an extension l8 projected upwardlytherefrom which terminates at its upper end in a conical valve stem I9.At the lower end portion of the yoke i! a member 20 is suitably fixedthereto and this member is provided with a downwardly extended guide 2|having an enlarged head portion 2| which is disposed for slidingmovement in a guideway 22 which is projected upwardly the lower portionof the yoke l1. Additionally,

the member has formed therein a cavity in which is disposed an insert 24that serves as a valve seat which is adapted to contact with thedischarge end of the nozzle I4.

Disposed at the upper end of the apparatus A is a plate 25 which in planis of generally circular shape and which has extended outwardly fromopposed sides thereof a pair of ears 25'. Likewise, the apparatus Aincludes a similar plate 26 which is spaced downwardly from the plate 25and is provided with a pair ofears 26' extended outwardly from opposedsides thereof. The plates 25 and 26, and the upper body portion 3 of thepressure regulator are rigidly connected together by a pair of tie rods21 having portions which extend through openings formed through the ears25', 26', and 5 of said plates 25 and 2t and said upper body portion 3,said tie rods being provided with flanges 21' which contact with the topfaces of the ears of the upper body portion 3, and nuts 28, which'aremounted on said tie rods, being arranged in engagement with the bottomfaces of the ears of the upper body portion 3, with the top faces of theears of the plate 25, and with top and bottom faces of the ears of theplate 26.

Secured to and disposed beneath the plate 26 is a diaphragm 29 which ismade up of an assembly of diaphragm sections suitably secured together,said diaphragm including a top wall, a bottom wall and an annular sidewall of corrugated formation. The diaphragm 29 is secured to the plate25 by a bolt 33 which is provided with an enlarged head portion 30, theshank of said bolt extending upwardly through alined openings formedthrough the top wall of the diaphragm 29 through the plate 26, andthrough associated parts of the apparatus and a nut 31 being screwed onthe upper screwthreaded shank of the bolt 30 so as to clamp a portion ofthe top wall of the diaphragm 30 between the head of'the bolt and thelower face of the plate 25. The plate 26 has formed therein an inletpassageway 32 which leads from an upwardly extended projection 33 whichis formed on the plate 26 at the top face thereof and is provided withan opening 33' that communicates with the inlet passageway 32 and isprovided with a screwthreaded wall, said screwthreaded opening beingadapted, if desired, to receive a screwthreaded end portion of a pipe'or other conductor (not shown). The inner end portion of the inletpassageway 32 terminates at an annular channel 34 formed at the surfaceof the shank of the bolt 30, there being a cross passageway 35 whichconnects said annular channel 33 with a passageway 36 that extendslongitudinally of the stem of the bolt and which is open at the lowersurface of the head of the bolt.

Secured to the lower wall of the diaphragm 29 and extended downwardlytherefrom is a member 31, said member being provided with an annularflange 31a at its upper end, a portion of the lower wall of thediaphragm 29 being clamped between said flange and a plate 31 by a nut31". At its lower end the member 31 is provided with an outwardlyextended, annular flange 311) which is secured to the top wall of thediaphragm 9. The lower portion of the member 31 has a cavity 38 formedtherein which is open at the lower end of said member, and arranged incommunication with said cavity at its upper end is an angular passageway39, the outer end of said angular passageway being open at a side of themember 31. As is shown in Fig. 1 the angular passageway 39 is ofsubstantially less diameter than the cavity 38 and the junction of thewall of the angular passageway 39 and the top wall of the cavity 38provides a rectangular valve seat with which the conical valve stem I9of the extension 18 of the yoke i1 is adapted to contact. Also, the topwall of the diaphragm 9 has secured thereto a tubular element 40 whichis provided at its upper end with an annular, outstanding flange 40',said tubular element and the member 31 being secured to the top wall ofsaid diaphragm 9 by fastening devices 4| which extend through alinedapertures formed in the flanges of said tubular element and said memberand in the top wall of said diaphragm 9. The tubular element supports atransversely extended pin 42 which passes through an enlarged opening 43formed through the extension l8 of the yoke I1.

The member 31 has formed therethrough an opening 34 through which isextended the central portion of a plate 45, said plate bein secured tosaid member 31 by a pin 46 that passes through an opening formedthrough. the central portion of the plate and is seated in aperturesformed in portions of the member 31 located at opposite sides of theopening 44. Arranged in vertical spaced relation with respect to theplate 45 is a somewhat similar plate 41 which has formed therethroughcentrally thereof an opening 48. The opposite end portions of the plates45 and 41 are connected together by tie rods 49 and the nuts 5|)associated therewith, and the plate 41 is secured by a pin 5| to anelement 52 which is extended through the opening 48 of said plate 41.

The element 52 is provided at its lower end with an outstanding flange52', between which flange 52 and a plate 52a is secured a portion of thetop wall of a diaphragm 53, said dia phragm being made up of a pluralityof assembled diaphragm sections suitably secured together. The diaphragm53 includes the top wall referred to, a bottom wall, and a side wall ofcorrugated formation, the bottom wall of said diaphragm being clampedbetween a spacer 54 which contacts with the top face of the plate 26 anda plate 54a, and said spacer being provided with a centrally locatedopening 54' through which the bolt 30 extends. The plate 53a contactswith the top face of the bottom wall of the diaphragm 53 and the shankof the bolt 30 extends through an opening located centrally of saidplate 54a, the nut 3| of said bolt 30 contacting with the top face ofsaid plate 54a. The element 52 has formed therein in its lower portion apassageway 55 which is open at the lower face of said element, and saidelement 52 has also formed thereon a screwthreaded opening 56 whichextends at an angle to said passageway in communication therewith, and ascrewthreaded end portion of a conductor 51 is screwed into saidscrewthreaded opening.

Disposed between the plate 25 and the plate 31 is a diaphragm 58 whichis formed from a plurality of assembled diaphragm sections suitablysecured together, said diaphragm comprising a top wall, a bottom wall,and an annular side wall of corrugated formation. The bottom wall of thediaphragm 58 is secured to the element 52 by a flanged, clamping member59 which is screwthreadedly mounted on an upstanding, threaded stem 60formed on the element 52, said bottom wall of the diaphragm beingprovided with an opening through which said stem 60 extends and aportion of said bottom wall of the diaphragm which surrounds saidopening being clamped between the lower face of the clamping member 59and the top face of the element 52. The top wall of the diaphragm 58 issecured to the plate 25 by a clamping member 6| which includes a lowerflange portion and a stem extended upwardly from said flange portion,said stem being extended through alined openings formed through the topwall of the diaphragm 58 and the plate 25. The upper portion of the stemof the clamping member 6| is screwthreaded and a nut 62 is mounted onthis'screwthreaded portion of the stem; said nut contacting with the topface or said plate 25 and serving to draw the clamping member upwardlyso that a portion of the top wall of the diaphragm 58 is clamped betweenthe top face of the flange portion of the clamping member and the lowerface of the plate 25.

The stem portion of the clamping member 6| has formed therein at itsouter face an annular channel 63, and extended transversely of said stemportion of said clamping member is a passageway 64 which communicates atits opposite ends with said annular channel, said clamping member 6|also being provided with a duct 65 which communicates with saidtransverse passageway 64 and is open 'at the lower face of the clampingmember 6|. Formed in the plate 25 is a passage 66 which communicates atits inner end with the annular channel 63 and terminates l at its outerend in an enlarged portion 66 formed in an upwardly projected extensionformed on the plate 25.

In Fig. 3 is illustrated a diagrammatical view which illustrates one usefor the improved apparatus of the present invention, and with regard tothis view it will be assumed that the compartment B is the interior of asubmarine boat, that the space C is the interior of a ballast tank of asubmarine boat, and that the valve D controls passage of water from theexterior of the submarine boat through the opening E into the ballasttank C. It is to be noted from inspection of Fig. 3 that the passageway66 leading to the interior of the diaphragm 58 has sealed thereinsufficient pressure to make it operable, and its is to be noted alsothat the conductor 57 is open at its outer end to theexterior of thesubmarine boat, or, at least, is subject to pressure influence of waterexterior of the submarine. Also, the passageway 32 leading to thediaphragm 29 conducts operative pressure into said diaphragm 29 toprovide a predetermined pressure in said diaphragm 29. Likewise Fig. 3illustrates a container F for air, or other medium, under pressure, witha conductor F leading from said container F to the inlet passageway l2of the pressure regulator I of the apparatus A, and also this viewillustrates a conductor Gwhich leads from the discharge passageway I6 ofthe pressure regulator l to a cylinder H. The cylinder H has arrangedtherein for reciprocatory movement a piston J to which is fixed formovement therewith a piston rod K that passes through an opening formedthrough an end wall of the cylinder, said piston rod having pivotallyat- 3 tached thereto a link L which is pivoted at its opposite end tothe valve D. Additionally, the piston rod K supports a pin M thatprovides an abutment for a coil spring N whose opposite end abutsagainst the end wall of the cylinder through which the piston rodextends. The coil spring N is maintained under compression so that ittends to move the piston to the left in Fig. 3.

In the use of the improved apparatus disclosed herein and as illustratedin Fig. 3, the diaphragm 29 contains therein a predetermined pressurewhich, when said pressure is greater than the pressure within thechamber 3', flexes or expands the diaphragm 29 downwardly. Such downwardmovement of the lower portion of the diaphragm 29 transmitscorresponding downward movement to the yoke I'I, thereby moving thevalve seat 24 away from the lower end of the nozzle l4 and permittinghigh pressure gas or liquid to flow into the chamber 3'of the pressureregulator I. When the pressure within the chamber 3 equalsthe pressurewithin the diaphragm 29, the diaphragm 9 flexes upwardly therebyrestoring the diaphragm 29 to its original condition and the coil spring23 seats the valve seat 24 against the lower end of the nozzle l4 tointerrupt passage of high pressure gas or liquid into the chamber 3'.This sequence of operations is followed through each time pressure iswithdrawn from the chamber 3 to perform work, the reduced pressurewithin the chamber 3 permitting the diaphragm 29 to be flexed downwardlyby the greater pressure contained therein to open the nozzle l4 andcause high pressure fluid to flow into the chamber 3 until the pressurewithin the chamber 3 equals the pressure within the diaphragm 29,whereupon the diaphragm 9 is flexed upwardly to restore the diaphragm 29to its original condition and the coil spring 23 seats the valve seat 24against the lower end of the nozzle H to interrupt passage of highpressure fluid into the chamber 3'.

The diaphragm 58 has sealed therein atmos phere, gas, or other mediumunder a predetermined pressure, and the diaphragm 53 receives pressurein response to water pressure exterior of the submarine boat through theconductor 51 which is subject to pressure influence exterior of thesubmarine boat. It is to be noted that the diaphragm 53 operates in theopposite direction to the direction of operation of the diaphragm 29;that is to say the diaphragm 29 expands downwardly while the diaphragm53 expands upwardly. This is true also of the diaphragms 29 and 9 and ofthe diaphragms 53 and 58, the diaphragm 29 expanding downwardly and thediaphragm 9 expanding upwardly, while the diaphragm 53 expands upwardlyand the diaphragm 58 expands downwardly.

It will be assumed, in the use of the improved apparatus disclosedherein, that it is desired to submerge a submarine boat equipped withthe apparatus to a depth of one hundred feet. In this event pressure isintroduced, into the diaphragm 29 to produce therein a pressure equal tothe water pressure at a depth of one hundred feet and such pressureWithin the diaphragm 29 will expand said diaphragm downwardly to movethe yoke I! downwardly and consequently move the valve seat 24 away fromthe lower end of the nozzle 14. As the pressure builds up within thechamber 3' of the pressure regulator I the piston J will be moved to theright in Fig. 3 to open the valve D and thus admit water exterior of thesubmarine boat into the ballast tanks of the boat to cause the submarineboat to submerge. During downward submerging movement of the submarineboat the pressure within the diaphragm 53, which is influenced bypressure influence exterior of the submarine boat will in crease inaccordance with the increased water pressure at the lower levels throughwhich the submerging boat passes until the submarine boat reaches thedesired one hundred feet level when the pressure within the diaphragm 55will be approximately the same as the pressure within the diaphragm 29.As the pressure within the diaphragm 53 increases slightly beyond thepressure within the diaphragm 29 it will over-balance the pressure ofsaid diaphragm 29 whereby the diaphragm 53 will expand upwardly tocollapse the diaphragm 29 and draw the valve seat 24 against the lowerend of the nozzle l4 to interrupt flow of pressure producing medium intothe chamber 3 and into the cylinder H. As the valve seat is seatedagainst the lower end of the nozzle M by the greater pressure within thediaphragm 53 this greater pressure continues to move the member 31upwardly, and flexes the diaphragm 9 in an upward direction, with theresult that the valve seat within the member 31 is drawn upwardly awayfrom the valve stem I9 to open the bleeder port 39. With this situationprevailing the coil spring N will return the piston J to its left-handposition within the cylinder H thereby closing the valve D and forcingthe pressure-producing medium from the cylinder and through theconductor G into the chamber 3 whence said pressure-producing mediumbleeds through the bleeder port 39.

There is a possibility that the air pressure prevailing within asubmarine having the improved apparatus associated therewith may vary,and in order to compensate for such condition the diaphragms 9, 29, 53and 58 are so related that variation of air pressure within thesubmarine is rendered ineifective insofar as its efiect on the apparatusis concerned. This situation is brought about by the fact that thediaphragms 9 and 29 are based on opposed bases and operate in oppositedirections and therefore external pressures acting on said diaphragmsare rendered inefiective by afiecting both diaphragms to some degree.Likewise, the diaphragms 53 and 58 are based on opposed bases andoperate in opposite directions, and therefore external pressure appliedto said diaphragms 53 and 58 will affect both of said diaphragms equallyso as to render such external pressure ineffective.

From the foregoing it is plain that the descent of a submarine boat to adesired depth is controlled automatically, all that need be done beingto introduce the proper pressure into the diaphragm 29 by operating avalve (not shown) which will control flow of the pressure-producingmedium from a source of supply into said diaphragm and by watching agage (not shown) which will indicate when the proper pressure has beenestablished within the diaphragm 29. When the proper pressure has beenestablished within the diaphragm 29 the subsequent operation of theapparatus is automatic and the descent of the submarine will be arrestedat the desired depth. When a submerged submarine equipped with theimproved apparatus is to be brought to the surface its ballast tanks areblown out in the usual manner to afiect such ascent.

We claim:

1. A pressure-responsive apparatus comprising a pressure regulatorhaving a chamber, said pressure regulator including an inlet passagewayleading into said chamber, an outlet passageway leading from saidchamber, means for controlling passage of pressure-producing medium intosaid chamber by way of said inlet passageway, and a diaphragm foractuating said controlling means in response to change in pressurewithin said chamber, a second diaphragm adapted to be acted on bypressure trapped at said second diaphragm for operating said controllingmeans to permit pressure-producing medium to flow into the chamber ofsaid pressure regulator by way of said inlet passageway, a thirddiaphragm adapted to be acted on by a pressure-producing influenceoriginating external to the apparatus and operable to actuate saidcontrolling means to prevent flow of pressure-producing medium into saidchamber of said pressure regulator by way of the inlet passagewaythereof, a discharge passageway by way of which pressure-producingmedium may escape from said chamber of said pressure regulator, andvalve means operated by said third diaphragm for controlling passage ofpressureproducing medium from said chamber of said pressure regulator byway of said discharge passageway,

2. A pressure-responsive apparatus comprising a pressure regulatorhaving a chamber, said pressure regulator including an inlet passagewayleading into said chamber, an outlet passageway leading from saidchamber, means for controlling passage of pressure-producing medium intosaid chamber by way of said inlet passageway, and a diaphragm foractuating said controlling means in response to change in pressurewithin said chamber, a second diaphragm adapted to be acted on bypressure trapped at said second diaphragm for operating said controllingmeans to permit pressure-producing medium to flow into the chamber ofsaid pressure regulator by way of said inlet passageway, a thirddiaphragm adapted to be acted on by a pressure-producing influenceoriginating external to the apparatus and operable to actuate saidcontrolling means to prevent fiow of pressure-producing medium into saidchamber of said pressure regulator by way of the inlet passagewaythereof, a discharge passageway by way of which pressure-producingmedium may escape from said chamber of said pressure regulator, andvalve means operated by said third diaphragm for controlling passage ofpressureproducing medium from said chamber of said pressure regulator byway of said discharge passageway, said diaphragm of said pressureregulator and said second diaphragm being supported on independent basesand being adapted to be flexed in opposite directions.

3. A pressure-responsive apparatus comprising a pressure regulatorhaving a chamber, said pressure regulator including an inlet passagewayleading into said chamber, an outlet passageway leading from saidchamber, means for controlling passage of pressure-producing medium intosaid chamber by way of said inlet passageway, and a diaphragm foractuating said controlling means in response to change in pressurewithin said chamber, a second diaphragm adapted to be acted on bypressure trapped at said second diaphragm for operating said controllingmeans to permit pressure-producing medium to flow into the chamber ofsaid pressure regulator by way of said inlet passageway, a thirddiaphragm adapted to be acted on by a pressureproducing influenceoriginating external to the apparatus and operable to actuate saidcontrol ling means to prevent flow of pressure-producing medium intosaid chamber of said pressure regulator by way of the inlet passagewaythereof, a

discharge passageway by way of which pressureproducing medium may escapefrom said chamber of said pressure regulator, and valve means operatedby said third diaphragm for controlling passage of pressure-producingmedium from said chamber of said pressure regulator by way of saiddischarge passageway, said diaphragm of said pressure regulator and saidsecond diaphragm being supported on independent bases and being adaptedto be flexed in opposite directions, and said third diaphragm beingadapted to be flexed in a direction opposite to the direction in whichsaid second diaphragm is flexed.

4. A pressure-responsive apparatus comprising a pressure regulatorhaving a chamber, said pressure regulator including anlnlet passagewayleading into said chamber, an outlet passageway leading from saidchamber, means for controlling passage of pressure-producing medium intosaid chamber by way of said inlet passageway, and a diaphragm foractuating said controlling means in response to change in pressurewithin said chamber, a second diaphragm adapted to be acted on bypressure trapped at said second diapthragm for operating saidcontrolling means to permit pressure-producing medium to flow into thechamber of said pressure regulator by' way of said inlet-passageway, athird diaphragm adapted to be acted on by a pressure-producing influenceoriginating external to the apparatus and operable to actuate saidcontrolling means to prevent flow of pressure-producing medium into saidchamber of said pressure regulatorby way of the inlet passagewaythereof, a fourth diaphragm coacting with said third diaphragm andsubjected to pressure trapped at said fourth diaphragm, a dischargepassageway by way of which pressure-producing medium may escape fromsaid chamber of said pressure regulator,

and valve means operated by said third dia phragm for controllingpassage of pressure-producing medium from said chamber of saidprespressure-producing medium may escape from said chamber of saidpressure regulator, and valve means operated by said third diaphragm forcontrolling passage of pressure-producing medium from said chamber ofsaid pressure regulator by way of said discharge passageway.

6. A pressure responsive apparatus comprising a pressure regulatorhaving a chamber, said pressure regulator including leading intosai'dchamber, an outlet passageway leading from said chamber, means forcontrolling passage of pressure-producing medium into said chamber byway of said inlet passageway, and a diaphragm foractuating saidcontrolling means in response to change in pressure within said chamber,a second diaphragm adapted to be acted on by pressure trapped at saidsecond diaphragm for operating said controlling means to sure regulatorby way of said discharge passageway.

5. A pressure-responsive apparatus comprising a pressure regulatorhaving a chamber, said pressure regulator including an inlet passagewayleading into said chamber, an outlet passageway leading from saidchamber, means for controlling passage of pressure-producing medium intosaid chambed by way of said inlet passageway, and a diaphragm foractuating said controlling means in response to change in pressurewithin said chamber, a second diaphragm adapted to be acted on bypressure trapped at said second diaphragm for operating said controllingmeans to permit pressure-producing medium the chamber of said pressureregulator by way of said inlet passageway, a third diaphragm adapted tobe acted on by a pressure-producing influence originating external tothe apparatus and operable to actuate said controlling means to preventflow of pressure-producing medium into said chamber of said pressureregulator by way of the inlet passageway thereof, a fourth diaphragmcoacting with said third diaphragm and subjected to pressure trapped atsaid fourth diaphragm, said third diaphragm and said fourth diaphragmbeing supported on independent bases and being adapted to be flexed inopposite directions, a discharge passageway by way of which permitpressure-producing medium to flow into the chamber of said pressureregulator by way of said inlet passageway, a third diaphragm adapted tobe acted on by apressure-producing medium originating external to theapparatus and operable to actuate said controlling means to prevent flowof pressure-producing medium into said chamber of said pressureregulator by way of the inlet passageway thereof, a fourth diaphragmcoacting with said third diaphragm and subjected to pressure trapped atsaid fourth diaphragm, said diaphragm of said pressure regulator andsaid second diaphragm being supported on independent bases and beingadapted to be flexed in opposite directions, said third diaphragm beingadapted to be flexed in a direction opposite to the direction in whichsaid second diaphragm is flexed, and said third and fourth diaphragms'being supported on independent bases and being adapted to be flexed inopposite directions, a. discharge passageway by way of sure regulator byway.

means for controlling passage of pressure-producing medium into saidchamber by way of said inlet passageway, and a diaphragm for actuatingsaid controlling means in response to change in pressure within saidsaid inlet passageway, a third diaphragm of hollow structure adapted tobe acted on by a pressure-producing medium therein, said third diaphragmbeing open to a pressure-producing medium external of the apparatus andoperable to actuate said controlling means to prevent flow oipressure-producing medium let passageway thereof, a fourth diaphragm ofhollow structure coacting with said third diaphragm and subjected topressure trapped therein, a discharge passageway by way of whichpressure-produc1ng medium may escape from said said pressure regulator,and valve means operable by said third diaphragm for con- .flow into thechamber of trolling passage of pressure-producing medium for saidchamber of said pressure regulator by way of said discharge passageway.

8. A pressure responsive apparatus comprising a pressure regulatorhaving a chamber, said pressure regulator including an inlet passagewayleading into said chamber, an outlet passageway leading from saidchamber, meansfor controlling passageway of pressure-producing mediuminto said chamber by way of said inlet passageway, and a diaphragm foractuating said controlling means in response to change in pressurewithin said chamber, a second diaphragm of hollow structure adapted tobe acted on by pressure trapped therein for operating said controllingmeans to permit pressure-producing medium to said pressure regulator byway of said inlet passageway, a third diaphragm of hollow structureadapted to be acted on by a pressure-producing medium therein, saidthird diaphragm being open to a pressureproducing medium external of theapparatus and operable to actuate said controlling means to prevent flowof pressure-producing medium into said chamber of said pressureregulator by way of the inlet passageway thereof, a, fourth diaphragm ofhollow structure coacting with said third diaphragm and subjected topressure trapped therein, said diaphragm of said pressure regulator andsaid second diaphragm being supported on independent bases and beingadapted to be flexed in opposite directions, said third diaphragm beingadapted to be flexed in a direction opposite to the direction in whichsaid second diaphragm is flexed, and said third and :fourth diaphragmsbeing supported on independent bases and being adapted to be flexed inopposite directions, a discharge passageway by way of whichpressure-producing medium may escape from said chamber of said pressureregulator, and valve means operable by said third diaphragm forcontrolling passage of pressure-producing medium from said chamber ofsaid pressure regulatorby way of said discharge passageway.

91 A pressure responsive apparatus comprising a pressure regulatorhaving a chamber, said pressure regulator including an inlet passagewayleading into said chamber, an outlet passageway leading from saidchamber, means for controlling passage of pressure-producing medium intosaid chamber by way of said inlet passageway, anda diaphragm foractuating said controlling means in response to change in pressurewithin said chamber, a second diaphragm of hollow structure adapted tobe acted on by pressure trapped therein for operating said controllingmeans to permit pressure-producing medium to flow into the chamber ofsaid pressure regulator by way ofsaid inlet passageway, a thirddiaphragm of hollow structure adapted to be sure-producing mediumtherein,

acted on by a pressaid third diaphragm being open to apressure-producing medium external of the apparatus and operable toactuate said controlling means to prevent flow of pressure-producingmedium into said chamber'of said pressure regulator by way of the inletpassageway thereof, a fourth diaphragm of hollow structure coacting withsaid third diaphragm and subjected to pressure trapped therein, meansfor mechanically connecting said second, third, and fourth diaphragms tosaid means for controlling passage of pressure-producing medium into thechamber of said pressure regulator, a discharge passageway by way ,ofwhich pressure-producing mediummayescap'e from said chamber of saidpressure regulator, and valve means operable by said third diaphragm forcontrolling passage of pressure-producing medium from said chamber ofsaid pressure regulator by way of said discharge passageway.

10. A pressure responsive apparatus comprising a pressure regulatorhaving a chamber, said pressure regulator including an inlet passagewayleading into said chamber, an outlet passageway leading from saidchamber, means for controlling passage of pressure-producing medium intosaid chamber by way of said inlet passageway, and a diaphragm foractuating said controlling means in response to change in pressurewithin said chamber, a second diaphragm of hollow structure adapted tobe acted on by pressure trapped therein for operating said controllingmeans to permit pressure-producing medium to flow into the chamber ofsaid pressure regulator by way of said' inlet passageway, a thirddiaphragm of hollow structure adapted to be acted on by apressure-producing medium therein, said third diaphragm being open to apressure-producing medium external of the apparatus and operable toactuate said controlling means to prevent flow of pressure-producingmedium into said chamber of said pressure regulator by way of the inletpassageway thereof, a fourth diaphragm of hollow structure coacting withsaid third diaphragm and subjected to pressure trapped therein, meansfor mechanically connecting said second, third, and fourth diaphragms tosaid means for controlling passage of pressure-producing medium into thechamber of said pressure regulator, a coil spring for urging said meansfor controlling passage of pressure-producing medium into the chamber ofsaid pressure regulator toward a position where such passage of saidmedium is prevented, a discharge passageway by way of whichpressure-producing medium may escape from said chamber of said pressureregulator, and valve means operable by said third diaphragm forcontrolling passage of pressure-producing medium from said chamber ofsaid pressure regulator by way of said discharge passageway.

ARTHUR J. FAUSEK. IRWING F. FAUSEK.

